Maureen Kneipp has been a Community Health Nurse for 18 years. She was farewelled last Wednesday with tears, laughter and shared memories at an afternoon tea held at the Boggabilla Community Health Service.

“I’m very sad to leave. I feel very attached to the Boggabilla and Toomelah communities,” Maureen said.

She has taken a position at Kaloma, working with Aged Care packages.

Maureen showed how much she cared by giving a heartfelt submission to the the Inquiry into Child Protection in Boggabilla last week.

“I’m leaving today,” she said. “I loved my job, but child protection issues have broken my heart. I can’t talk about it without crying.”

Later, surrounded by people from the communities she has served and of which she has been so much a part, Maureen was moved to tears by the love and appreciation expressed on behalf of so many by Madeleine McGrady.

“These women, these community nurses, like Jo (Meron) and Maureen, are so dedicated and caring. When I heard Maureen was leaving, I asked, please find us another one, but where could you find another one like Maureen?

“You’ll live on forever as part of this community, Maureen. We’ll see some of you in our kids and in our people always,” she said.

At this point everyone was reaching for the tissues.

Maureen’s involvement with the Aboriginal community began when she and her husband moved to

“Boonal”, a property between Boggabilla and Toomelah.

“My husband Steven manages the place, and I used to meet people who came through to go fishing.”

Maureen began at the clinic after the Einfield Inquiry in 1987, with just a phone and a chair. At that time the health service was based at the school in Boggabilla.

When the school moved to a site a new clinic was built in the main street.

Maureen said the new clinic was far more accessible to the general community. “People used to think the other one was just for school children, but we get everyone coming in here,” she said.

The popularity of the clinic is in part due to efforts to keep the clinic as culturally sensitive as possible she believes.

“Since there’s been a regular health service in Boggabilla and Toomelah there’s been a lot less children going to hospital.”

Maureen says regular immunisation has been the greatest thing for children’s health. She said that while she has seen some sad things, she would take away many positive memories.

“We all want what’s best for the kids. I know there are a lot of bridges to be crossed, but I want the kids here to have happy lives.

“It has to come from within you. You have to drive your own destiny.

“That’s the only way things are ever going to change,” she told the guests.

In the future she hopes there will be more Aboriginal people able to be employed in the health sector, but she said, “It will take time.”

Maureen’s fondest memory of 18 years of dedicated service? “Little Malcolm Cubby across the road.

“He has to be the most beautiful child I have ever seen.

“I asked him would he marry me when he grows up, and he said ‘yes’.”